MBA Admissions

Whitworth Admissions Process

Though admission to Whitworth’s MBA is competitive, the Graduate Admissions Committee dedicates itself to a thorough, holistic review of each application. Our objective is to get to know each applicant as an individual who brings particular strengths and unique experiences to his/her program. This understanding helps us to determine whether an applicant is a good fit for Whitworth — and whether Whitworth is a good fit for the applicant.

Come meet us.

The Admissions Committee strongly encourages all applicants to visit Whitworth University to learn more about the MBA program from current students, faculty and staff. Our convenient location in downtown Spokane in the University District is centrally located for easy access. We welcome applicants to sit in on an MBA class; call to schedule a time (509.777.3222).

Application Materials – what you need to provide

The Whitworth evening MBA admissions committee carefully considers each completed application, with no particular weight put on any one piece of the application.

The online application has several components and gives you the opportunity to upload your résumé and essay, send recommendation requests to your references, and pay your $35 application fee.

You also have the option of e-mailing your resume and essay to us at a later time (gsb@whitworth.edu). In addition to submitting your application materials, you will meet with the program director to talk about your particular goals in obtaining an MBA.

Whitworth will waive the entrance-exam requirement for applicants with an undergraduate GPA of 3.25 or higher. (If your cumulative GPA is lower than 3.25 due to first- or second-year grades, we will consider the last 90 quarter/60 semester credits for your calculated GPA.)
If your undergraduate GPA is below 3.25, please submit one of the following:

Exam Options:

Submit an official GMAT score report (Exam must have been taken in the last five years.)

Submit an official GRE score report (Exam must have been taken in the last five years.)

Exam Alternative: You may submit a 1,500-word analytical essay in lieu of GMAT or GRE scores. The essay should demonstrate your ability to analyze, synthesize and critically reflect upon information. Applicants will need to request this option through the admissions office and will be sent a case study to analyze in order to prepare a response.

Please note: Applicants may be granted admission into Whitworth’s MBA program, but are not eligible for departmental academic scholarships awarded by the university unless a GMAT or GRE score report is submitted.

On your résumé, please include both work experience and, where applicable, service activities and recognitions.

We strongly recommend that MBA applicants have full-time work experience. The Admissions Committee is especially interested in the quality of an applicant’s professional skills as evidenced in her/his level of responsibility, leadership, supervision and teamwork. The committee also considers the relevance of these skills both to the applicant's intended course of study at Whitworth and to the career goals as stated in the essays.

Service, activities and recognition, such as public, community or military service, travel experiences, extracurricular activities, and any honors or recognitions received are all important indicators of an applicant's motivation and character. The most appropriate place to include this information is on your résumé. The accompanying essays may also be an appropriate place to discuss your personal background.

Recommendations should come from individuals who have a superior working knowledge of the applicant, should be professional in nature, and should speak to the applicant's professional work, qualities, career potential and likelihood of success in the classroom.

Recommendations are completed via an online recommendation request sent directly to each reference once you begin the application process.

Though a student’s GPA is reviewed for probability of academic success, we understand that undergraduate GPAs, particularly those from several years ago, may not reflect current ability or commitment to academic success. A GPA of 3.0 is recommended, particularly if undergraduate transcript is less than five years old.

Order official transcripts from ALL colleges or universities previously attended; have them sent directly to:

Prerequisites: Whitworth’s MBA program requires prior coursework or equivalent work experience in key functional areas of business: accounting, economics, finance, marketing, and statistics. If applicants do not have the necessary background, Whitworth offers several online and self-paced completion methods to satisfy these requirements.

The essay is a critical component for assessing an applicant’s motivation for attending Whitworth’s evening MBA program; it sums up the applicant’s background and goals, as well as his/her communication and presentation skills. In your essay, you are asked to respond to three particular questions: Why Whitworth? Why an MBA? Why now? Your essay should be no more than one page, single-spaced, or approximately 600 words. A strong essay will convey careful research on Whitworth and enthusiasm for the program.

International Students

Whitworth welcomes international students to apply for the MBA program. The global focus of Whitworth’s MBA program makes it an attractive option for those living outside the U.S. If it is your first time to study abroad, you may have questions about what it’s like to study in the U.S. Please don’t hesitate to ask. Contact us at gsb@whitworth.edu, and we’ll put you in touch with our MBA advisor. Whitworth is a safe and comfortable place to study, with smaller, seminar-style classes. This gives you the opportunity to get to know your professors and classmates. Whitworth is located in Spokane, Wash., a mid-sized city with a four-season climate, so you’ll want to be prepared for snow in the winter and warm, sunny summers.

All applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Requirements for admission include an undergraduate GPA of 3.0. International applicants with diplomas from non-English-speaking universities may be required to provide a professional credential evaluation of their university transcripts. To obtain a professional credential evaluation, submit official transcripts and/or documentation of degree earned to:

U.S. citizens and Permanent Residents do not need to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score. A waiver of the TOEFL or IELTS is automatically granted if you are an international applicant and have earned an undergraduate degree in a country where the official language is English. TOEFL or IELTS waivers pertain only to international students who have submitted an application.

Whitworth requires the TOEFL or IELTS exam for all international applicants unless the applicant acquired her/his bachelor’s degree from the U.S. or a country where the official language is English. A score of 88 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) OR an overall score of 7.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is considered the minimum for admission to Whitworth University. Test scores must be sent directly to Whitworth.

For the TOEFL, an official score report must be sent directly to the MBA office at Whitworth University ( 300 W Hawthorne, Spokane, WA 99251), from the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Whitworth’s institution code is 4593. To learn more about TOEFL or to request your score, contact ETS at: www.ets.org.

A detailed International Student Financial Statement form with supporting verification documents must be provided to the Whitworth Office of International Admissions. Submit documents to gsb@whitworth.edu. In compliance with U.S. Immigration Service requirements, your documents must show evidence of adequate available financial resources to attend Whitworth and the MBA program.

An affidavit of financial support is required from students whose financial resources are supplemented in part or in whole by someone other than themselves. Use INS form I-134 for sponsors from the U.S.